| Organic Certification
Many of you will notice immediately that our 2006 CSA brochure omits any indication of Ryder Farm being "Certified Organic." That omission is correct; but, in fact, we are no less organic in our farming than in former years. What has changed is that, in 2005, I did not go through the certification process administered by NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC. Two changes to me personally were mainly responsible for failing to seek certification. First, lingering illness following a January 2005 cancer operation hampered my meeting the usual filing deadlines. Second, throughout 2005 my increasingly ambivalent attitude toward certification dissuaded me from even filing when I could have done it. The ambivalence arises from the fact that I provide vegetables directly to people who know me, and Ryder Farm, and/or to CSA members with free access to Ryder Farm and me. Also, I became aware of many of my fellow organic farmers’ alienation from organic certification, as it has come increasingly under the influence of agribusiness and its allies in USDA. You can find a wealth of information on organic certification and organic production in the Spring 2006 issue of "The Natural Farmer," an excellent 50-page quarterly newspaper of NOFA. Incidentally, I have 2 copies of the Spring issue for loan. Or, you can join NOFA and get your copy directly.
Having revealed all of the above, I must confess that my long support of organic certification makes it hard to abandon. Indeed, many of certification’s standardization and guidance publications are helpful to all of us growing on small farms. Thus, don’t be surprised if I apply once again for certification after I am let out of the "doghouse" for failing to return a copy of an old certificate.
2005 Season
In retrospect, it seems that we just muddled through a rather difficult season. Owing to my uncertain health, we got off to a late start, and seemed never to catch up fully. Erratic rainfall, a global warming phenomenon, I suspect, left us dry for critical periods. With no effective irrigation system, we fell back on my 17-year-old "first aid kit," a 500-gallon water tank mounted on a trailer towed by one of our diesel tractors. A small gasoline powered pump on the trailer enabled us to apply a tank full of water in about one hour. Then another hour passed as we refilled the tank from a garden hose. The whole procedure consumed many, many man-hours that could have been used to weed, seed, and otherwise improve crop production.
Once again, we were rescued by consistent and very skilled help from the Hohensteins, Gary and Corina, from spring greenhouse work to a major portion of the direct seeding and transplanting, plus some timely weeding. Most of the other field tasks, especially weeding, trellis construction, and harvesting were done by 2 or 3 Ecuadorian workers who live year round in Carmel. A John Bowne High School student from Queens, a "Farm Cadet," helped out from late June till early September. In much the same period we were helped by a college bound local student, who is deeply dedicated to organics and the environment. Alas, we were not able to acquire a foreign (European) student, breaking a connection lasting 20 years. Last, but certainly not least, was Kathleen. Kathleen has lived at our home, "Kay Hall," for several years. Her leading role in organizing weekly CSA shares was done practically without error in that vital role. In addition, she functioned often as a receptionist for CSA members visiting Ryder Farm. Finally, I want to remember a remarkable former helper and neighbor, Evelyn, who moved into "retirement" with her husband in New Hampshire last summer.
2006 Season
At last we have a first class drip irrigation system that was installed and tested in a cold period of early March 2006. It replaces a non-functional, poorly engineered drip irrigation system that was shut down for a couple of years by failed underground water pipes, that burst after freezing because we could not force out the water at the end of past seasons. The contractor for this new irrigation system lives in nearby Somers. He has a highly skilled crew who, with the boss, will be available to keep our system in top condition.
The propane-heated greenhouse has been prepared for reliable operation but was not turned on because of the extremely high cost of fuel. Out in the fields, though, we have 2 over-wintering, dormant crops: about 2,500 row feet of garlic and nearly 1,000 row feet of spinach. In the sunroom of Kay Hall, onions and leeks have sprouted and are showing "impatience" for more sunlight and growing space. Our main seed order, from Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Harris Organics, are due as this is being written in mid-March. Well over 100 line items are included in those orders, so we have a great diversity of vegetables and herbs in prospect.
On the down side is the stymied "Sod Strip" project (see our web site for background on this project). So far we have not been able to devise an effective implement to establish the essential "vertical hard pan" between the sod and the growing bed. We have some ideas for solutions, but they are too uncertain for discussion here.
We will begin the growing season with most of the same crew as in 2005. They will carry the main burdens, but we will welcome new helpers for even occasional appearances.
New Share Prices
Back to the 2006 CSA brochure, I must call your attention to the higher rates for full and half shares that our steering committee has determined. Several factors were considered in imposing these prices. First, prices of shares have remained constant for at least the last 3 years, despite increasing annual costs. Second, costs for agricultural operations are especially sensitive to energy prices, which could spurt up after the season-long payments are made in the spring. Thirdly, we prefer stable prices rather than annual "tweeking," so the levels were set with the hope that they will not have to be increased again next year. In keeping with this policy, the delivery cost of $2.50/week was not increased because it was upped by 50 cents last year.
Local Food Security
In February of this year, 8 activists met at the home of environmentalist, Dr. Daniel Martin, in Cross River. Three Ryder Farm CSA members participated: Danny, the host; Judy Hausman, free-lance food writer; and I. We believe that many other CSA members will be interested in attending a second meeting on the many aspects of local food security. Such a meeting will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Croton Falls on Saturday, 8 April 2006, at 2:00 P.M. Judy’s publicity letter for that meeting follows:
"Recently a group of concerned people came together to begin a search and to build a working relationship. As we know you are, we are each interested, from our individual perspectives, in the future of small farming and food, its quality and availability, in our region.
We feel the timing is fortuitous for us to come together: regionally, planning efforts around the rehab of The Tappanzee and the East-West corridor, the acquisition of Hilltop Hannover Farm in Yorktown, The Stone Barns Center for Agriculture, the growth and popularity of local farmers’ markets and a number of small scale, individual landowner efforts; nationally, the co-opting of "organic" by federal and corporate forces, fuel expenses, food supply security concerns. We hear a rumble that could become a voice.
Our area is lucky enough to still have available land, in public, corporate and private hands, as well as receptive and well-educated residents. It appears that local governments are poised to evaluate the future. Could growing food be connected to elderly and low cost housing options, to land trusts, to health and security initiatives?
Would you join us at a larger gathering to both pool and focus ideas? We know there are other resources and efforts that we can access and work with. We foresee, for example, enlisting visible champions to the cause, planning a farmers’ market of ideas and efforts and connecting to schools and colleges, conservation organizations and local government planning. We are interested in educating, informing and building collaborative projects.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. We keep the memory of summer’s warm, ripe tomatoes, grown "just down the street" in the forefront of our discussion.
Long term Apprentice Needed
Ryder Farm is seeking an apprentice who would like to remain there in comfortable quarters year round. We at Ryder Farm intend to be a focal point for a growing movement toward organic (or "ecological") food production in the suburbs. This position could be an excellent opportunity for a dedicated, energetic and innovative person to grow with that new movement.
Hall Gibson
March 16, 2006
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